Tracy Morgan

Roper’s requests have twice been denied, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois Goodman issued an order March 4 to place a 10-day hold on action in Morgan’s suit pending an upcoming ruling on Roper’s latest appeal to stop the civil proceedings on a more long-term basis.

The driver asked the court to delay the civil proceedings pending his criminal proceedings. It his second attempt to do so, with this one coming as a filing of opposition to the order issued in December denying his previous attempt.

The crash ignited a debate among lawmakers about hours-of-service rules, as it came just after the Senate's initial move to suspend certain provisions of the 2013 HOS rule. Wal-Mart has now reached a civil settlement with the family of one of the victim's in the crash.

With several news reports suggesting its driver had been awake working for 24 hours prior to the accident, Walmart spokesperson Brooke Buchanan issued a statement early today, Monday, June 9, that the driver was operating within federal hours limitations.